Russia and Nigeria have entered a fresh chapter of bilateral ties, marked by increased collaboration in commerce, defense, and finance. A significant development is the planned establishment of a new regular shipping line between Novorossiysk, an important Russian port on the Black Sea, and Lagos.
- Russia and Nigeria are increasing collaboration in commerce, defense, and finance.
- A new regular shipping line between Novorossiysk and Lagos is planned to begin operations in mid-June.
- The shipping line aims to facilitate the sale of Russian agricultural products, machinery, and transportation equipment to Nigeria.
The service, which is scheduled to begin operations in mid-June, will be operated by Russia’s A7 African Cargo Line.
Initially, two 700-TEU container ships will service the route, with future development plans aimed at Senegal, as reported by Sputnik.
According to Maxim Petrov, Russia’s Trade Representative in Nigeria, the shipping line would facilitate the sale of Russian agricultural products, machinery, and transportation equipment to Nigeria.
In return, it will allow Russia to purchase cotton from fellow West African state, Mali, a crucial regional product with an annual yield of over 650,000 tons.
Simultaneously, Nigeria and Russia are strengthening military relations.
Russia and Nigeria’s growing ties in 2025 so far
In March 2025, Russian Deputy Minister of Defense Yunus-bek Yevkurov and Nigeria’s Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Musa, met to explore the extension of the two nations’ current defense cooperation.
This military partnership stems from a 2021 deal under which Russia would supply training, logistics, and equipment to the Nigerian military.
Financial relations have also improved. In February 2025, Russia officially added Nigeria to the list of countries eligible for currency trading in its banking system.
Tunisia and Ethiopia were also included, bringing the total number of eligible African countries to seven and further integrating the region into Russia’s financial efforts.
The previous list, authorized in September 2023, comprised Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, and South Africa.
This inclusion corresponds with Nigeria’s admission to the BRICS group of nations as a partner country. Following South Africa, Nigeria became the second African nation and ninth member to achieve BRICS partner status in January 2025.
These initiatives, taken together, provide a picture of Russia and Nigeria’s quickly changing relationship, one that is moving beyond rhetoric and into tangible cooperation.
